Shall We Play A Game? Chapter Three

Shall We Play A Game?

Chapter Three

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The first five days of courtship had been brutal, at least for the other suitors. I, personally, had found it very amusing as she eliminated more than half of their number over the course of those five days for various reasons, ranging from their delusional expectations (such as a certain fourth prince from a Babylonian protectorate) to the no less than seven that were escorted to the border by soldiers in disgrace for thinking that their bloodlines meant that they could do whatever they want, or whomever they wanted, in another ruler’s palace. As it turned out, Ankhesenamun was rather protective of her servants and didn’t look kindly on foreigners trying to sexually help themselves to said servants.

Especially not when those same foreigners were there, presumably, to try and court her. Nothing like trying to force her servants to sleep with you to prove to a girl that you were madly in love with her, after all! Oh, it wasn’t like this was some ideal world, of course, where noblemen didn’t have sex with servants or peasants or lesser nobles as they saw fit, I knew that from experience back home in Hattusa. It was an unspoken, well-established, perfectly understood rule of rank and privilege. Unfortunately for those particular men, there was another unspoken rule that was just as ironclad, and that was that raping the servants of your host was most assuredly a breach of the laws of hospitality.

As I watched another disgraced, blustering suitor being escorted out, I couldn't help but smirk. These idiots were making my job easier by the hour, and in an honestly very entertaining way to watch as well. I had come prepared for a challenge, a challenge I had been looking forward to, but it was really starting to look like the real test would be maintaining my composure in the face of such profound stupidity.

Ankhesenamun caught my eye from across the courtyard, her gaze sharp and assessing. I offered a slight bow, just enough to show respect without groveling. She raised an eyebrow, the ghost of a smile playing at her lips before she turned away, and I couldn’t help but watch her as she spoke quietly with Bakara, whose agents had doubtlessly been involved in discovering such sins. She really was a most remarkable woman, one of principle, or at least as much as one could be in this era. The fact that she was as beautiful as she was only made me happier.

"Enjoying the show, Hittite?" A smooth voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to find Crown Prince Enlil-Nirari of Assyria beside me, his calculating eyes fixed on the retreating form of the latest rejected suitor. While none of the suitors, and few members of Pharaoh's Court, had been happy with my presence here, the Assyrian was by far the least fond of me. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, given the recent conflicts between the Mittanni and his people, not to mention the on-again off-again warring and alliances our nations had rotated through over the last few generations.

I smiled placidly at Enlil-Nirari, careful to keep my tone light. "Merely observing the consequences of poor judgment, my friend. A valuable lesson for us all, wouldn't you agree?"

The Assyrian's eyes narrowed slightly, but his diplomatic mask remained firmly in place. "Indeed. Though some might say it takes more than good judgment to win a queen's favor."

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious about where he was going with this. "And what, in your esteemed opinion, does it take?"

Enlil-Nirari's gaze swept the courtyard, lingering on Ankhesenamun for a moment before returning to me. "Power." he said simply. "Influence. The ability to offer something of true value to Kemet."

I nodded thoughtfully, as if considering his words, though he wasn’t saying anything particularly ground-breaking. "An interesting perspective. I certainly cannot disagree with that, of course, but hasten to add that value is a matter of perspective and circumstance. A wise ruler knows how to address each such circumstance in a way tailored to have the best result, and to recognize both the situation and the solution for what they are. These men proved unworthy, and so they have been dispensed with in accordance with their acts.”

“And what of you? Do you consider yourself worthy of a Queen?” he inquired with exquisite courtesy, his eyes narrowing slightly, and I hummed thoughtfully in response, looking back over the courtyard to observe the hustle and bustle for a moment.

“I consider myself as worthy as the Pharaoh deems fit. Ultimately, what you or I, any of the suitors, even her Council, think of ourselves or the matter at hand is irrelevant. If the last few days have proven anything, it is that her opinion, her will, and her choices are the only things that hold relevance here. If she decides I am worthy of her hand, then I am worthy. If she decides otherwise, then I must, in some manner, have been insufficient.” I responded slowly, actually taking the question seriously, and despite his distaste for me, I could see that his nod of approval was a genuine one. Waving a hand towards the gates of the palace complex, I continued in a much lighter tone. “Fortunately, several of our rivals have gone out of their way to make it easier for her to thin the proverbial herd.”

“Mhm. Indeed. Though I imagine things will calm for a time after this. She is, I believe, genuine in seeking a husband, and it’s easier to discard those who are blatantly and flagrantly unworthy than it is to address those without such obvious and grievous faults as breaking the laws of hospitality.” he agreed, seemingly willing to let our rivalry lie for the moment. “Given her love of games and competition, which you yourself noted in your greeting to her, I imagine she will devise some manner of weeding out others. I admit, a part of me is looking forward to the challenge.”

“I as well. Anything worth having in life is worth having to earn for yourself, and fight to retain.” I agreed immediately and whole-heartedly, smiling at the thought. “I do have to wonder what it will be. Something clever, no doubt.”

As if summoned by our conversation, a herald's voice rang out across the courtyard. "Honored guests, Her Majesty Queen Ankhesenamun requests your presence in the Great Hall!"

Enlil-Nirari and I exchanged a speaking glance, each of us equally aware that we (and the others) were being summoned as a result of recent events and, as likely as not, to learn more about the very thing we had been discussing. Without a word, we fell into step with the other remaining suitors, a procession of hopeful kings and princes making their way through the palace's opulent corridors, following the herald into the same spectacular throne room that we had first made our proposals in.

It was a marvel of Egyptian architecture, of course, with its soaring ceilings supported by massive columns adorned with intricate hieroglyphs and vibrant paintings, and lined with nobles and ministers alike, watching intently as we crossed the threshold. At the far end, the golden-haired, garnet-eyed form of Ankhesenamun sat upon her throne, resplendent in her tight, clinging blue kalasiris, the gold of her royal regalia gleaming in the light of a hundred oil lamps, and I noticed more than one suitor stutter slightly in their stride as they took in the six Guardians flanking her, three to a side. A far more intimidating sight than the two that had been with her on the first day, and I wondered if it was a deliberate show of force to remind us that, though she was a young woman we were pursuing, she could crush us if she saw fit, should we give her a good enough reason.

As we approached the throne, I couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in Ankhesenamun's demeanor. Her posture was even more regal than usual, her chin lifted slightly higher, her gaze somehow both piercing and aloof as it swept over us. This was not just the Queen we had been courting for the past few days; this was Ankhesenamun in her full glory as ruler of Egypt, and no doubt a portion of the elevated bearing was due to the events of the last three days. She couldn’t be in a good mood at the moment, even if she was glad to dispense with half of the men here.

"Gentlemen," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly through the grand hall. "I trust you have found your stay in Kemet... educational, thus far."

A ripple of nervous laughter passed through the remaining suitors. I kept my face carefully neutral, though I couldn't quite suppress the quirk of my lips. Enlil-Nirari, I noticed, remained stone-faced beside me. Whether it was because he saw no humor in the understatement or simply had that level of control, I didn’t know, but I made a note of it regardless. Knowledge was power, and all that.

Ankhesenamun continued, ignoring the laughter entirely. "As you are no doubt aware, many of your fellows have overstepped themselves and been held accountable for doing so. Consider them your first, and only, warning. If you wish to spend your time here seducing my servants and peasants instead of courting me, feel free to do so. It will do your suits very little good, and if I should find out any of you try to force the matter -and I assure you, I will find out-, you will find yourself as thoroughly and unceremoniously ejected from my nation as they were. At minimum.”

Ankhesenamun paused, letting her words sink in. The air in the Great Hall grew thick with tension as the remaining suitors shifted uncomfortably, all too aware of the fate that had befallen their less prudent counterparts. Quite frankly, those men had been lucky to escape with their lives, never mind their manhoods, intact. Their reputations, on the other hand, were in tatters, and many of them could quite possibly endure unpleasant fates once they got home.

"Now," she continued, her voice taking on a lighter tone that somehow managed to be even more unsettling, "as we have dispensed with the most obviously unworthy and addressed the unpleasantness that followed them like an ill odor, it is time to move onto more engaging matters: determining who among you truly deserves consideration for my hand and the future of Kemet."

I felt a thrill of anticipation run through me. This was it – the challenge I had been waiting for, the one that I knew she would eventually present before us all

“For the next month, I shall spend three days apiece with each of you, learning your hearts and your minds as you shall learn mine in turn. Discussions, games, walks and rides…the methods employed will be varied, and I suggest you do your utmost to impress me at every opportunity, because I am not inclined to settle for the sake of finishing this process quickly. Fail to impress me, and you will be sent home.” she decreed, gesturing to a cluster of scribes carrying chests, who stepped forward and made their way between us, passing out papyrus scrolls to each of us. Calendars, it seemed, marking when each of us would be graced with her presence.

As I unrolled my scroll, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. My eyes quickly scanned the hieroglyphs, and widened sharply as I saw that my first day with her was today, my second was tomorrow, and my last the very last day of the month. That could only be deliberate, but I didn’t know if it was a good sign or a very, very bad one. I was inclined to think it was good, in fact I was willing to guess it was because she wanted to learn the rules of chess today, and play a serious match with me that final day, but it could just as easily be that she wanted the largest amount of time between seeing me as possible. Pessimistic, perhaps, but arrogance or letting myself consider the competition over would no doubt quickly see me being the one making a walk of shame.

"During these days," Ankhesenamun continued, her voice pulling my attention and my eyes alike back to her. "you will have my undivided attention, outside of genuine emergencies that require my leadership. Use it wisely. I expect each of you to demonstrate not only your personal qualities but also what you can offer Kemet as a potential consort."

Her gaze swept across the room, lingering for a moment on each of us, and though I may have imagined it, I could have sworn that they lingered longer on Enlil-Nirari and myself than any of the others.

“During the days you are not directly engaged with me," her voice was now carrying a hint of amusement, eyes gleaming faintly with something like mischief. "you will be free to explore the palace grounds and participate in various activities, even explore the city around us if you see fit. I encourage you to make use of this time no less wisely than your moments with me. After all, a king must be well-rounded, knowledgeable, and adaptable."

I couldn't help but smile at that. It was a clever move on her part – not only would she be evaluating us directly, but she'd also be gathering intelligence on our behavior when we thought ourselves unobserved. Loose lips could sink ships, after all, and in this case the loose lips of a suitor could see him quickly packed up and sent off.

As I contemplated the implications of Ankhesenamun's announcement, I felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere of the Great Hall. The other suitors were exchanging glances, some calculating, others nervous. This new phase of the courtship would undoubtedly reveal plenty about each of us, for better and for worse, and we were all perfectly aware that the real contest was only just beginning.

Ankhesenamun rose from her throne, her movement fluid and graceful. "Prince Hasamelli," she addressed me directly, her garnet-colored eyes intent. "As your scroll indicates, you have the honor of being first. I trust you are prepared to begin immediately?"

I bowed deeply, oddly glad for it. I certainly wouldn’t have much time to panic about things, if we were starting immediately. "It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty. I am at your disposal."

As I straightened, I caught a glimpse of Enlil-Nirari's face. His expression was carefully neutral, but I could detect a hint of tension in his jaw. Clearly, he was not pleased with my early placement in the schedule, nor at my apparent aplomb. I offered him a slight smile and tilt of the head as I stepped forward, resisting the urge to do anything more…abrasive than that, once again reminding myself not to get too far ahead of myself. Pride goeth before the fall, that was my mantra, as quickly as it was wearing thin.

Ankhesenamun descended from her dais, her dress rippling like water as she moved, and as she drew closer I could smell the subtle, intoxicating scent of myyrh, frankincense, and God only knew what else. It was a richly beautiful scent, I had to resist the urge to shake my head clear of it. "Very well. Let us begin, then. The rest of you are dismissed until your appointed times."

Bows and murmurs came from all around us as a hundred people paid their respects, respects that Ankhesenamun didn’t seem inclined to pay any further attention to, as she instead placed her focus entirely upon me.

"Walk with me, Prince Hasamelli." she commanded, gesturing towards a side exit from the Great Hall. I fell into step beside her, acutely aware that every movement, every expression, was being scrutinized not just by Ankhesenamun, but by her courtiers and my rivals as well. Any fault that could be found, or created quite frankly, absolutely would be. Once we were safely in private, or what passed for it between two royals in the midst of a palace, she continued. “I spoke the truth, earlier. You are entirely responsible for planning our days together, and you must impress me with your choices if you wish to marry me. That being said, your days were carefully chosen. Can you guess why?”

“I can. Today, you want me to show you how to play chess. Outside of meals, perhaps, that holds your focus. Tomorrow, on the other hand, will be entirely my responsibility to plan and organize, and if I had to guess, you wish to see me on the last day because you will have spent your free time over the course of the next thirty days practicing the game. You will want a proper match against me, whether or not you find me worthy of remaining after this month is over.” I voiced my earlier suppositions promptly, and she had a faint air of approval as she nodded in confirmation. Pleased, I continued. “I can think of no better way to spend two of our days together.”

“Oh? No better way at all?” she asked archly, a note of teasing in her voice, and I surprised myself with a startled bark of laughter.

“No better way that might not get me into trouble, perhaps.” I confessed wryly, shaking my head as she laughed in return, eyes bright, and as I marveled at the change in demeanor, it suddenly occurred to me that, with a childhood friend like Mana and a close companion like Bakara, she likely had quite the wicked sense of humor when she was able to indulge in it. I liked that, and I liked that she wasn’t putting on significant airs when she was with me. Whether she would act so freely with everyone, or was simply echoing my own energy and atmosphere back to me, I didn’t know. It would be interesting to find out, I imagined.

"Well said, Prince Hasamelli. It's refreshing to meet a man who can both think quickly and knows when to hold his tongue." Ankhesenamun's laughter faded, but the warmth in her eyes remained as she continued with more than a little approval in her tone. "I'm equally pleased that you've deduced my intentions so quickly. It speaks well of your observational skills and strategic thinking. Now, tell me, Prince Hasamelli, what do you hope to gain from this game of chess, beyond simply spending time with me?"

“As I said that first day, I know how you enjoy games. I would not have a wife who cannot do the things that she loves and brings her joy, anymore than I would wish for my wife to forbid me my own idle pleasures and foibles. Some people in our position, of our rank, might be willing to settle for either ignoring one another or apathy, or even a sort of passive resentment. I, however, am not.” I explained honestly, as we stepped into a smaller, far more intimate garden than the one we had spoken in previously. In fact, it was less a garden and more of a covered balcony, albeit one with an abundance of plant-life. A balcony whose central space was dominated by a pair of chairs and a table, on which sat the chess set.

“You wouldn’t seek to prevent me from playing games?” she asked intently, eyes searching mine as we sat down, and I scoffed, shaking my head even as I flapped a hand, as if to banish the very thought from existence.

“On the contrary, I would encourage it, even join you whenever possible. Couples that play together, stay together, if I might coin a phrase. Besides, it is too much a part of you to wish to do away with. I came here to marry you, not some…what do you call the wooden figurines from your burial rites? The ones made in the likeness of the dead?”

“Ushabti.”

“Yes, those. I came to marry you, Aknhesenamun, not a living ushabti in your image. If I wanted a quiet, pretty doll to play with and impregnate, I wouldn’t have sought you out, but I don’t, which is why I did.”

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Shai was speechless for a moment, because she knew -from a lifetime of training and from her mastery of magic- that every word that the man in front of her was speaking was the truth. Oh, he likely wasn’t saying everything, and she wasn’t foolish enough to believe that there was no political calculation involved -nor, she imagined, would he deny it if she mentioned as such-, but it seemed that he was being entirely genuine when he said that he would not only never try to prevent her from playing games, but would actively encourage it and play with her. Something that she had never dreamed would be possible, even as a child, never mind once her uncle had started this game of his, and here she was being offered exactly that on what amounted to a golden platter. A very handsome platter, she had to admit, as well. Certainly the best looking of the men vying for her hand, though Enlil-Nirari was far from unattractive as well. Still, the Assyrian seemed, to her, lacking compared to the man across from her.

Shaking her head, she gestured to the board between them, the exquisitely carved pieces of white and black arranged on either side. “Begin showing me the game, we can talk along the way.” she voiced, as eager to learn as she was interested in buying herself time to absorb the shifting of the ground beneath her feet at his words. “It is immediately obvious to me that the differently colored pieces denote the two different players, and I recall you said that each piece had its own strengths and weaknesses.”

“ Exactly so. First, you have the infantry, also called ‘pawns’. They are simultaneously the weakest piece, and the most powerful.” he confirmed, gesturing to the smallest, squattest pieces, looking somewhat like an upside-down brazier or torch. His hands started to deftly place the black pieces on the board while he talked, and after a moment of seeing what he was doing, she began to mimic him with the whites, creating two rows of ‘soldiers’ facing each other across the board. Looking remarkably like a pair of actual armies, honestly. “The first time each pawn is moved, it can advance two spaces, and only one every turn thereafter. They cannot move backwards and can only attack diagonally, like this. If the space directly in front of them is full, and they have no diagonal attacks that they can make, they cannot move.” he demonstrated with one of his own pieces, wood softly clacking on wood as he did so. “However, pawns are unique in that, when they reach the back row of your opponent’s side of the board, they can be turned into a Queen, a Priest, a Chariot, or an Archer. Next is…”

Shai nodded periodically as she absorbed his words, listening carefully to every word and watching every movement as he continued to describe the game that he had, seemingly, personally invented. The longer he spoke, the more obvious it became that this was genuinely a game of war and strategy, and that her impression of the two sides looking like opposing armies was more accurate than she had thought. Infantry forming the front line, with chariots forming the wings and archers the center of the second line, and at the heart of them all the leaders. She was also delighted by the fact that the most powerful piece was, without question, the Queen. Something that she was assured was not an attempt at flattery, but a rule that had been developed before he had even heard that she was seeking a husband, and she found herself oddly pleased by that knowledge. Likewise, she appreciated that the only way to truly win the game was to ‘capture’ the enemy King, by putting them into a position that retreat was impossible, forcing them to surrender. This truly was war on a table-sized scale, and the potential for both entertainment and education couldn’t be exaggerated.

Yet, even as she listened, even as she paid careful attention to his instructions, she couldn’t help but pay equal attention to the man himself. She had thought him handsome when first she saw him, but seeing him properly bathed and dressed -not to mention at a far closer range- had only strongly confirmed that. His hair, which hung down to his shoulders and seemed almost wild, was of brilliant shade of red, a color she had never seen before on a living man. It, appropriately, reminded her of a forge’s fire, if she was going to be honest. And as closely as they now sat, she could not only see that he was built the way a warrior ought to be, but that his wine-red eyes were…oddly entrancing. Certainly beautiful, and as unique as her own.

She…hadn’t really allowed herself to think of what her ideal husband would look like. Hadn’t allowed herself to imagine, for even a moment, what it might be like to marry a man whom she could genuinely enjoy looking at, never mind spending time with. But if she had to think about it, if she could allow herself to consider what she might actually want rather than what duty might require of her…well, Hasamelli may just fit many or most of the criteria she might have imagined. Enough that, had she not given her word to allow all of her suitors a fair chance, she might have picked him already.

Well, her word and the potential difficulties that would come with marrying a Khetani prince and having his children, while at the same time having to worry about he and any family that they built together would be targeted by assassins trying to ensure he couldn’t support his brother, if such a thing became required. That, she had to admit, was holding her back a great deal, as was one other thing: The Shadows acted strangely around him. Not repelled, not attracted, but simply…strangely. She could still discern when he was being honest with her, of course, and get a general sense of his emotional state, but she could look no deeper. Even the Eye and the Scales, the Items most closely aligned with knowing the heart and mind and soul of another person, could scarcely look deeper than the surface. Contrary to what most would have expected, however, that didn’t make her want to banish him or consider him a threat, but only intrigued her. It was possible, of course, that his namesake in the Hittite Pantheon was shielding him in some way, and it wouldn’t surprise her in the least, but something about that rang falsely to her. And she had long ago learned to trust such a feeling, recognizing it as not just intuition, but the whisper of The Shadows in her ear.

“…Majesty?” his voice drew her from her thoughts, and she realized that she had neglected to answer his latest question in a timely manner.

“Ah, please forgive me, Prince Hasamelli, I was lost in my thoughts for a moment there.” she confessed, shaking her head with a faint blush and a sheepish smile, arching an enquiring eyebrow his way. “Would you ask me again?”

“Of course, no apologies are necessary. I was asking if you would like to try a practice game now that I've explained the basic rules." Hasamelli said, seeming to have taken no offense. On the contrary, his eyes were glinting with interest and a touch of daring. "It's one thing to hear the theory, but quite another to put it into practice, and I’m sure you will agree that doing something is the best way to internalize a lesson."

Ankhesenamun nodded, feeling a thrill of excitement. "Yes, I think that would be most enjoyable, and enlightening as well. Though I warn you, I may not be the easiest opponent, even as a novice."

Hasamelli's lips quirked into a smile, one that showed he was looking forward to this as much as she was. "I would expect nothing less, Your Majesty. Shall we begin?"

As they reset the board, Ankhesenamun found herself studying Hasamelli's hands. They were strong and sure, moving the pieces with a practiced ease that spoke of countless hours spent playing this game. Yet there was a gentleness to his touch that intrigued her. Was it from his training in craftsmanship, she wondered, or a part of his very nature?

“There we are. Now, would Your Majesty be willing, perhaps, to make a wager of our game?”

Ankhesenamun's eyes narrowed slightly, a mixture of intrigue and wariness in her expression. "A wager, hmm? And what would you propose as stakes?”

Holding up his hands with a soft laugh, he hastened to reassure her. “Nothing too daring, I assure you. I may have a clever and flirtatious tongue, but I’m not going to use it to dig myself a deadly hole quite yet, lest your lovely ladies disappear me one dark night or something equally permanent and unpleasant. No, these nights we share are meant for us to become more familiar with one another, so my thoughts are this: why don’t we play for knowledge? For each piece we lose, we must answer a question asked by the other?”

Shai considered the somewhat-unique proposal, her own eyes gleaming with interest and no small amount of surprise. It was a clever suggestion, one that aligned perfectly with the purpose of these encounters while adding an element of strategy and excitement. She found herself, once again, both impressed and intrigued by his approach. Such things, in her experience, didn’t happen. At least not with any degree of equivalency. A wife simply did as her husband instructed her or learned from experience what he wanted and liked. A frank and honest, if playfully done, discussion was not a method that she had ever heard of, even in gossip.

"A game within a game." she mused, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Very well, Prince Hasamelli. I accept your terms, provided of course that neither of us ask anything that would prove overtly dangerous to our people and nations. But let us add one more condition - the loser of the match must answer three additional questions of the winner's choosing. Does that suit you?"

Hasamelli fairly shone with excitement and anticipation, meeting her own reserved smile with a far broader one of his own. "Perfectly, Your Majesty. You drive a hard bargain, but I would expect nothing less."

And thus, did the game begin, with Shai making the opening move, her first Infantryman advancing two spaces to clear a diagonal route for one of her Priests. "If you’re willing to answer a question without the loss of a piece, would you tell me what inspired you to create this game?"

Hasamelli considered his move carefully before responding, wood clacking on wood as the game continued. "War, primarily. The desire to study and understand strategy and tactics without the loss of life. But also the belief that a game could teach valuable lessons about leadership, sacrifice, and the importance of every piece on the board, no matter how seemingly insignificant.”

“Every piece?” she asked, surprised, and he nodded firmly. Humming, she moved another piece. “Explain, please, because something tells me you’re not referring to only their value within the game itself.”

“You’re quite right about that. You see, at the end of the game the Queen and the Pawn go in the same box. No greater nor lesser than the other, no treatment received that is different than the other. So are we, in the end, all equal in death. Whether we are kings and queens and men of power, or the lowest peasant and slave.” he explained, one of his charioteers advancing into the center of the board. “It sounds strange, I imagine, and would ruffle more than a few feathers amongst both your court and mine, with good reason I must admit, and I fully admit to some hypocrisy. The human condition, I’m afraid.”

“You’re right that many would be offended.” she responded slowly, taking her time to consider her pieces, even as she pushed down some instinctive offense of her own at the idea that her soul, the soul of a incarnate god, who would become another god entirely when she died, was equal to that of a peasant or a slave. Deciding on honesty, she sighed. “In truth, I am somewhat offended, and confused given your own position and birthright.”

“I’m not surprised, and I hardly blame you for it. As I say, I have some hypocrisy here.” he acknowledged with a wry smile and a small shrug. “And yet, is it not so that every Kemeti heart will be weighed against the same feather? Are the scales any different for you or for the lowliest peasants and slaves?”

That was a good point, a serious one that she would have to consider carefully and approach with those she trusted before she addressed it with him again, and she made a soft sound of noncommittal acknowledgement as she made her move. Fortunately, he seemed to recognize her reaction for what it was and let the matter drop for the time being.

It was five moves into the game that the first piece was taken, with one of the prince’s Chariots removing one of her Infantryman from the board, and he gave her a pleased smile. "Now, if I may ask, what is your favorite aspect of ruling Kemet so far?"

Ankhesenamun's eyes narrowed slightly as she suffered ‘first blood’ of the simulated battle, but she answered readily enough. "The ability to effect real change. To implement policies and projects that improve the lives of my people. Callous though it might sound at first glance, I treat it as a game, one that I am unwilling to lose, and as with any other game I find great enjoyment in finding the winning moves.”

Hasamelli nodded thoughtfully at her response. "A noble perspective. And one that speaks well of your character as a ruler. And have no fear that I will judge you for the way that your mind works, it’s the results and your intentions that matter, not the way that you frame it in the privacy of your own thoughts. Besides, I can’t even disagree that life is a game, not after what I said earlier. Oh, some players have easier starts than others,” here, he gestured lightly between the two of them, making it clear what he meant, and she blinked internally as his tone changed to a far less formal one. “and it has it’s fair share of difficulty spikes and grindier bits, but a clever strategy and a bit of luck can allow many to win their own game, if not become a champion.”

Shai…didn’t understand some of the words used there, which struck her as slang or some sort of specific parlance, but his meaning was obvious regardless of that point, and she had to nod in agreement.

The game continued, pieces moving across the board in an increasingly intricate dance of strategy as it grew more heated and intense. Ankhesenamun found herself thoroughly engrossed, her mind working to anticipate Hasamelli's moves while planning her own, and though she was certain Hasamelli was not playing at his very best, it was obvious that he wasn’t planning on letting her win easily. It was several more turns before she managed to capture one of his pieces, triumphantly removing an Infantryman from the board.

"My turn for a question, then." she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered what best to ask. "Tell me, Prince Hasamelli, what do you consider your greatest strength as a potential consort and advisor?"

"A fine question, and one with a complicated answer. Answers, I suppose. My father would want me to say that I have a good bloodline, that I am healthy and strong and a great leader of men. My brother Kail would want me to give you a detailed description of my sense of humor, my love for music and travel, my fierce loyalty and willingness to care for those around me, familiar and otherwise, as if they were life-long friends. Dear Yuri, who I’m afraid would be happy to list all of my sins as sisters are wont to do, would likely want me to boast of my playful nature as well. But my answer?” he was silent for a long, long moment, gazing out of the balcony across the city, before meeting her eyes. There was a hardness in them, a metal-clad strength of will, a stern devotion. “I suppose that my greatest strength would be that I love people to a fault, that nothing brings me more joy than making those I love happy, and that there is nothing more I want from this life than to leave the world, and those very same loved ones, in a better state than they were in when I was born.”

Ankhesenamun felt a flutter in her chest at Hasamelli's words, struck by the sincerity and passion in his voice, the clear lack of rehearsal that might have otherwise tarnished its genuine nature. It was a far cry from the polished, diplomatic responses she had come to expect from everyone in her life outside of her Guardians, and even they tended to soften what they said, or say them in a certain way, when they thought it was necessary. There was something raw and genuine in his answer, the way it was entirely unfiltered by the lifetime of courtly training that she knew he had to have received, which was immensely appealing, as were the words themselves. Wanting to make the world a better place, to improve the lives of those you loved? A simple goal in words, but one that was far more complicated, and difficult, in the doing.

"A noble aspiration," she said softly, her eyes searching his face, smiling slightly as some tension seemed to go out of his shoulders. Perhaps he had feared that she would think poorly of that answer, and was pleased to see that she hadn’t. "And one that aligns well with the responsibilities of ruling, if you wish to be a king that is loved by your people. But tell me, how do you balance that love for people with the harsh realities of governance? There are times when difficult decisions must be made for the greater good, times when you must sacrifice many for the sake of multitudes."

“Ah, that I shall answer when next you capture one of my pieces!” he chuckled, brightening again and shaking his head, grinning as she gave him a small, friendly frown of displeasure. “A bargain is a bargain, after all, and we wouldn’t want to break the rules of the game!”

The game continued for what seemed like an eternity, questions and conversation flowing back and forth easily, and a quiet, sheltered part of Shai’s mind couldn’t help but repeatedly remark on the fact that she had never taken so quickly to another before, not even Bakara. Though, admittedly, that wasn’t the fairest comparison, given that they had met when the other girl had been busy sneaking around her palace in an attempt to steal some of her treasures. Hardly the best first impression, but then again, she had met Hasamelli when her uncle and his cronies had put her in a position where she had felt compelled to summon men from near and far to try and sell her body and her throne off too, and that could hardly be considered a positive situation either.

She learned quite a bit about him. The pranks he and his brothers had all played on one another, on their parents and on the Hittite Court. How they had so often snuck out of the palace, dressing themselves as commoners to ‘live dangerously’, though he had sheepishly admitted that their parents hadn’t been fooled for a moment and had equally-disguised Mesedi -the Hittite Royal Guard- keeping an eye on them the entire time. How their mother, Queen Hinti, had died not long after their father had been provided a young woman by the Babylonian royal family in exchange for financial support in their wars, his Step-Mother Nakia. How he had hated her as a child for trying to replace his mother, and for her cold contempt towards he and his siblings, but was now adult enough to admit that -while she was still an extraordinarily unpleasant person-, she had been sold off to a man nearly three times her age, one who had in the past warred with her nation and had killed many members of her family in doing so. Unfair though it might have been to take it out on the man’s children, it was…understandable, in its own way.

Determined to cheer him up, and feeling a bit guilty for straying into such a sensitive topic in the first place, she had used the rest of her questions to ask him about his patron god and the talents he had learned in worshipping him, which brought her to his current story.

“…course, how could I not recommend the three sisters for Yuri’s handmaidens after that?” he chuckled, gesturing slightly with a goblet of wine, even as he moved one of his Priests clear across the board to kill one of her Archers. Between the wine and the easy conversation, he had relaxed quite a bit, many of the social walls between them weakened, if not crumbled.

“Yes, how could you resist the urge to suggest the three women who kidnapped her and disappeared with her in the dead of night be with her at all times, responsible for both her comfort and her safety?” Shai drawled dryly, shaking her head in disbelief. The story was a mad one, even given how few details he had given her (insisting that she ask Yuri and the sisters for the rest, as they were there for all of it, and besides, Yuri could use more female friends, he claimed), but she could certainly say that he saw the best in people.

“Bah, I knew that they wouldn’t hurt her! I was quite familiar with them, you know.” he chuckled again, and gave her a wink as she arched an eyebrow at him. “In a purely respectable manner, I assure you! None of the sisters were meant for me, you know, I knew that as soon as I met them.”

“Oh? Most men would leap at the chance, you know.” Shai prodded, not technically asking a question, and well aware that all three sisters could certainly be considered beauties, especially by the standards of commoners! Besides, she was smart enough to see that he had her King trapped at last, even if he hadn’t declared ‘Checkmate’ yet. The game was over, as was the wager.

“Well, of course they would! I’m not blind, they’re all quite beautiful, and I would be a fool and a liar to say otherwise. Deadly too, which only makes them more attractive.” he acknowledged freely, and Shai had to resist the urge to scoff in surprise at the statement. Most men, after all, did not find it attractive that a woman could ride horses and fight with sword so well as the three sisters could, and had apparently been training Yuri to do as well. Then again, from the sounds of things, Kail and Hasamelli were very unusual men. Even by Khetani standards. “But Ryui and Shala are best suited for Kikkuli, the Master of Chariots, and as for Hadi…hmm. She is closest to Yuri, perhaps my dear sister can be persuaded to love her as much as she loves Kail. Plans for the future, I suppose.”

“Hmm, and what is your question for me? And, for that matter, the three you won for winning?” she asked, putting aside the bizzare fact that a prince was busy trying to match-make for his future sister-by-marriages handmaidens while in the midst of courting the Queen of a foreign nation, if only for the moment. She was quite sure she would revisit and evaluate that particular facet of his personality at some point in the future, preferably with her Guardians. Mana would probably be delighted and try to help him, gods help them all.

“Ah.” he sounded genuinely disappointed as he realized that the game was over, and he offered her a seated bow. “A fine game, Majesty, given you had never heard the rules before today. By the end of this month, I imagine that I will be hard-pressed to match you, never mind win. As for my questions…if you would permit me, I shall reserve them for a later date. They are a precious resource, these questions, and I should like to use them wisely.”

Ankhesenamun leaned back in her chair, studying Hasamelli with a mix of curiosity and admiration. His decision to hold onto his questions was unexpected, or so she believed at first, but the longer she considered it, the less surprising it was. Why wouldn’t a man who had created a game of such strategic depth apply patient strategy in other parts of his life? Especially when he was aware, as he obviously was, of both the hour and his increasing intoxication. She found herself increasingly intrigued by this Hittite prince who seemed to defy her expectations at every turn.

"Very well, Prince Hasamelli," she said, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. "I shall await your questions with great interest, for it seems you intend to be as thoughtful with them as you are with your game play. But tell me, what do you have planned for us tomorrow? You've piqued my curiosity with your chess game today. I'm eager to see what other surprises you might have in store."

“Ah, surely you would not wish me to spoil the surprise, O Pharoah? You know as well as I that the twists and turns and unexpected events of this game we call life are the most enjoyable parts!” he grinned, rising to his feet and offering her his hand to help her do the same, even as he tilted his head towards the door. “Besides, I think if we neglect the evening meal for too much longer, your chefs might go mad from the wait. That, or some enterprising fellow shall have me thrown from the balcony for trying to starve you, villainous northern beast that I am.”

She followed his gaze and laughed softly as she saw the anxiously waiting page-boy waiting just beyond the, to someone of his tender years, very tall and imposing forms of the guards stationed outside the balcony door. He couldn’t have been more than nine or ten, the poor thing, and was now visibly trembling at the attention of his god-queen and her royal guest. She opened her mouth, to reassure him, but to her surprise Hasamelli strode towards him and knelt down to his level.

“Hello, my young friend. What is your name? And have you been waiting all this time to inform Her Majesty and I about dinner?” he asked warmly, gently, and the boy blinked at him in surprise.

"M-Mahu, Your Highness," the boy stammered, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear, but the answer was an honest one, and Shai found herself watching with something like fascination as she watched her suitor kneel on the floor, unheeding of his garments or the dignities of his station, to casually chat with a servant boy. “ and yes, Your Highness. The kitchens have been ready for some time, but I... I didn't want to interrupt..."

Hasamelli smiled, dipping his head in greeting. "Well met, Mahu. You've done an excellent job waiting so patiently for Her Majesty and myself. I imagine it must have been quite boring standing there for so long, but you didn’t say a word or make a sound. Most impressive. Tell me, do you like sweets?"

The boy nodded eagerly, some of his nervousness fading at the mention of treats, and Shai had to lift a hand to cover her mouth as Hasamelli solemnly reached out and placed a hand on the child’s shoulder, expression far more serious than the situation could possibly call for.

"Excellent! Then I have a very important mission for you, one that is nothing less than vital. When you go to the kitchens to inform them that we're ready for our meal, would you please ask them to include some extra desserts for yourself? Something special, fit for a brave and patient young man such as yourself."

Mahu's face lit up with excitement and pride and, of course, the utmost anticipation. "Yes, Your Highness! I'll do it right away!"

As Mahu scampered off, Shai found herself unable to contain her laughter any longer and started giggling helplessly into her hand, shoulders shaking with mirth as Hasamelli rose to his feet, dusting himself off with a distinct air of satisfaction.

"Well," she managed between chuckles, "it seems you have a way with children as well as chess pieces, Prince Hasamelli."

He turned to her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Children are far easier to understand than most adults, Your Majesty. They haven't yet learned to hide their true feelings or motivations. Besides," he added with a wink, "a little kindness goes a long way, especially when it comes with the promise of sweets."

As they made their way towards the dining hall, Shai couldn’t help but praise him again, more seriously. "That was... unexpectedly kind of you." she said, her voice warm with approval. "Most nobles wouldn't spare a second glance for a servant boy, no matter how long he had waited, let alone go out of their way to make him feel special."

Hasamelli's expression softened as he looked over at her. “Every person, no matter their station, deserves some manner of respect. We might not all be born equal, but what difference do the gods see between the souls of me and that boy? None, and if the gods view us equally upon our death and judge us just the same, how can I say otherwise?” he said quietly, thoughtfully. “Besides, I have a weakness for children. They remind us of the joy and wonder we so often forget as adults."

“People like us are forced to grow up quickly.” she responded softly, putting aside the rest of his words for later consideration, and he nodded in agreement.

“‘When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.’” he remarked, clearly quoting someone or something, before shrugging. “Yet as we become men, or women as the case may be, we cannot entirely abandon the things that give us joy and wonder, or life would break us.”

“Thus, the games and the craftsmanship?” she asked, calling back to previous conversations, and he inclined his head in confirmation. “Hmm…come, my Prince, the kitchens will have food ready for us soon enough, and you shall spend the rest of the night discussing the flaws in our strategies.”

It was only hours later, as she lay in bed with Mana curled against her side, listening to her breathing and that of the other members of their family, that Shai realized she had called the Hittite ‘my Prince’ for the very first time. A simple slip of the tongue, she would insist if anyone were to hear and ask, but in the privacy of her own mind, she wondered if it wasn’t a concession, an acceptance…and in the quiet of the night, she found that she did not mind that thought very much at all.

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Fun fact: a rook in chess was originally represented by a chariot, that’s why it moves the way it does. Charging in a straight line. In fact, the name ‘rook’ comes from the Persion rukh, which literally means ‘chariot’. It then became an elephant, representing much the same. It wasn’t a tower -a siege tower, most likely- until sometime in the 16th century AD. Elephants, of course, weren’t a part of Egyptian warfare until significantly later. Elephants were uncommon in that region to begin with, and had been hunted to extinction (mostly by pharaohs and their retinues) long before the 18th Dynasty, when this story takes place. Possibly as early as the First or Second Dynasty. Later dynasties had to travel all the way to places like modern-day Syria for elephant hunts.

Likewise, Archers are being used here instead of cavalry for the simple fact that ‘cavalry’ as a concept, at least as we think of it, didn’t exist in the 14th Century BC. Saddles and stirrups wouldn’t be invented for the better part of a thousand more years, which are more-or-less required for the modern concept of cavalry to function. Archers, with their need to move in certain ways or attack from odd angles to avoid friendly fire, seems to me the best replacement for them.